Yesterday was a reset day for me. I didn't take even one step outside. I cleaned. I did some laundry. I rearranged our bedroom. I cleaned out some drawers, closets and tote bags. I cleaned my yoga room, then did some yoga. I did some reading. I did a little studying. I cooked an actual meal- you know, the kind that starts with fresh, whole food and ends with three courses. It was the best day and one that I needed, badly.
Most of the time, after a long period of having no down-time (continually waking up early and going to bed late, driving, working, studying, running errands,etc.) piddling around the house is my go-to for a reset day, especially when the weather is cold, wet and gloomy. And today was a perfect, cold, wet, gloomy day. But even on bright, sunny days, like today, if I need this type of reset, I'll close all of the blinds and curtains and pretend that it's a cold, gloomy day. Does anyone else do this? What do you do for a reset?
As I consider whether or not to close the blinds for 'Reset, Round 2', I took some pics of yesterday's accomplishments, because it won't stay this tidy for long, that's for sure. Also, when your house is filled with mostly hand-me-downs and second-hand purchases, taking a few pics when everything is clean and tidy reminds you that everything old can look new again, if you just give it a little attention. Right?!
Our beloved 70's couch, spiffed up with a new, blue velvet seat cover.
Perfect example of "making do with what you have". My grandpa's coffee table- re-located from my yoga room to the living room to be seen in all of it's 1950's glory. (This is my study spot- hence all of the yoga, art and craft books.)
And, in contrast to the above pic- this is M.'s spot. Politics, art history and wine- his reading is a little heavier than mine.
From above, a zoom-in of a couple of my favorites-1985 vs. 2016.
The following videos popped up on my facebook feed this week, which was kind of a coincidence, since I had written about the exact same thing in my journal the week before. I took this as a sign that it was time for a little blogging ;)
The first clip is very short.
The second one is a little longer, but may end up being the most well-spent 36 minutes of your day. If you don't have 36 minutes, though, the last 5 minutes is when it really gets to the point of just being yourself and being true to who you are or who you are becoming, even if that means taking the risk of standing alone, at least for a while.
M. and I have been talking a lot about how much your attitude and outlook can change and how much you can accomplish in your life when you surround yourself with people who believe in you, who encourage you, who want you to be better, who support you, who only want the best for you; people who, if you fail at something, have unwavering confidence in you that you will pick yourself up and move on. Please, if you don't have this in your life, go find these people!
If you're lucky, you don't have to search beyond your own family or circle of friends. Sometimes, though, you have to make it happen. And sometimes a lot of hard decisions and difficult changes have to be made to make it happen. You may just have to do this once in your life, but sometimes you have to keep making adjustments. Along the way, as you are moving through your life, finding your "tribe", there will, inevitably, be people who may not want you to succeed, or improve or be happy. They just want you to be who they want you to be; they just want you to be the same way you have always been; they just want you to be like them. But, they want this for them. Not for you. So, you have to be aware and make a conscious effort to move away from the people who are wrong for you, who aren't looking for the best in you and in themselves and seek out the ones who get you, who align with who you are and who are only and always there to encourage you to be your best. I remember having to do this for the first time when I was 14 years old. At age 14, I knew that where my friends were going, was not a place I wanted to go. So, I made a change. And that change meant that I lost all of my old friends. It was rough. Looking back on that, I think it was a lesson that I needed to learn early on, to prepare me for similar moments that would happen later in my life. And, as a teacher, it gives me a perfect personal example of the quote, "Show me your friends and I'll show you your future", that I have repeated more times than I can remember over the past 13 years in my classroom.
So, go find your people, if you don't already have them. And have the courage to be yourself, even if that means being the "weirdo" and even if that means that you may be standing alone for a while. Your tribe will appear. Then, chances are, you will become one of the inspired, light bringers and magic makers for someone else ;)
I hope this puts a positive spin on your week! Have a great one!
As always... Be Still. Be Strong. & Be Happy. Juli
P.S. My Valentine's Day card this year. Yes, I have found my fellow weirdo! (Who happens to also be my light bringer and world shifter.)
